Easter Festival 1906

Niko Pirosmani made this painting, Easter Festival, probably in the early 20th century using oil on oilcloth. I like how the composition of this piece almost feels like a frieze. The paint application here is so direct, like he’s just spreading it around to get the image down. The dark ground is really simple, and it's laid on in a thin layer. There's no attempt to blend the colors smoothly, which gives the painting a raw, immediate feeling. Look at the way he's defined those clouds. Each one is outlined, as if he's tracing a shape that already exists in his mind. The feast laid out is a marvel; each dish seems to have its own distinct texture. I think the way Pirosmani approached his art sort of reminds me of Henri Rousseau, another artist who had his own unique vision. It's like they're both operating in a parallel art world.